GEORGE TOWN, Jul 29 – Macam-Macam ASEAN was happened at the Penang state museum on Macalister Road here today. It is a market that features a craft and creative market, a tattoo studio, barber shop, live musical performances, wayang kulit, local puppet performance and more.

Macam-Macam Asean is not just an exhibition of the arts and craft of the region but also a bustling bazaar with handicrafts and specially-designed items from Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Laos and East Malaysia for sale. Inside the Asean collective room is a display of the beautiful works by designers from Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar and Laos.

Over at the back portion of the compound is the Craft and Creative Market and the Laksa of the Region (LOTR) stalls. In the market, postcards, accessories, souvenirs and even furniture are on sale at special prices. In additional, there were 25 different types of laksa from all over Southeast Asia will be displayed near the front of the stage. Visitors get to vote for their favourite laksa on a large board.

As of late Saturday night, the Laotian laksa by a local restaurant No Eyed Deer is in the lead on the competition. The types of laksa available ranged from the decidedly fishy Kelantan laksa to the rich smooth Jawi Peranakan laksa to even a vegan version. There were three main performances at Macam-Macam Asean; the Gus Teja World Music at 7pm, Peperangan Bintang: Star Wars-inspired wayang kulit at 8pm and Potehi: A Penang Story at 9pm.

Finally, Ombak-Ombak Art Studio presents a story about Penang through several main characters, Chew, Nya, Li and Kahssim using the traditional potehi hand puppets. Macam-Macam Asean is open to public from 11am to 10pm today. The two-day fun event is an all-ages showcase line with this year’s festival’s Southeast Asian focus and the entrance is free. — PN